The Recruiting Cycle Never Ends

Any college coach with a successful program knows that things can turn south quickly with out a constant attention to detail. Making sure their programs are stocked with top level talent has become a year round job. Coaches know if they don’t play the game correctly they will soon find themselves out of the job. The Detroit Free Press recently detailed the current calendar for college football recruiting.

During February and March, schools host Junior Days. These events allow potential recruits and their families visit campuses and get to know the staff, as well as the school’s academic and athletic programs.

In March and April, schools will not only have spring practice, but host prospects on unofficial visits. Coaches often encourage recruits to come and watch a practice to see their particular position coach in action. These sessions are a great opportunity for recruits to not only develop more rapport with the coaching staff, but see the players in action, too.

In May, the evaluation period begins. Over a six-week period, coaches are allowed to visit a recruit’s high school and make one phone call to him. Coaches can’t have conversations with recruits at high schools, but they can say hello and make it apparent that they are there for a good reason. One of the best ways for a recruit to judge a school’s interest is whether they send the coach to the high school during May.

Once the summer hits, it’s camp time. Michigan State has several camp sessions in June and July. It is at these camps that coaches get to work with recruits one-on-one.

After the camps come the regular season. Coaches aren’t only allowed to call home and stop into school, but they can also set up unofficial visits for recruits to visit campus and watch games. The final stage is securing official visits for the most sought-after players and their families.

Potential recruits should look at the calendar and see two things. The first is that many of these events can only happen if the recruit is being pro-active in the recruiting process. Unofficial visits evaluations at camp can only occur if recruits are actively contacting schools to promote interest.

The second is point is to realize the long evaluation process that needs to be set into motion as early as possible. Unless a recruit is on the ball, the process will be going full steam before they even have a chance to get realistically evaluated.If you are hoping to get recruited the cycle needs to get going now!